WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) - A Metropolitan Police Department officer who joined the department in 1990 has been arrested and charged with first degree child sexual abuse, according to MPD.

Officer Wendel Palmer, who is assigned to the Sixth District, was arrested on Jan. 9, pursuant to a warrant and charged with First Degree Child Sexual Abuse. He was charged for having oral sex and intercourse with a child younger than 13 years old.

A criminal complaint alleges that the sexual abuse occurred when the child was between 11 to 13 years old. The child reportedly told her mother about an incident that happened when she was between 10 and 12 years old last March and her mother called the Child and Family Services Agency to report it.

According to the complaint, Palmer and the child belonged to the same church, which is run by Palmer's family. The abuse happened on multiple occasions at the church. Palmer, the youth choir director, allegedly abused the girl when they were alone in the pastor's office while other children were at the store.

The child told authorities there were "too many incidents to count," according to the complaint. The child says Palmer was not wearing a condom at the time of the intercourse.

Palmer has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the criminal charges.